Dick Whittington and his Cat: Chipping Norton Theatre

There are lots of things that make the Chippie panto, which is now in its 36th year, so special. It’s cosy — though not so cosy as it was when the heating system was up the spout.

It’s intimate and traditional but — most importantly ladies and gentleman, boys and girls — it ambitiously offers the chance for ten aspiring youngsters to join the professional cast for the duration.

With rugrats, and rugrats dressed as rats, the Chippie crew obviously give no credence to the old adage that one shouldn’t act with children and animals. In fact, 1,200 professional actors applied for the chance to take part in this annual extravaganza, of which just seven key roles were allotted.

And 30 or so budding young actors and actresses also signed up to participate in an afternoon of open auditions at the theatre in October to be in with a shot of securing a coveted Pippins role.

Asked to perform a dance and sing a song, ten lucky people then join the cast.

Audience development officer Stephen Birch tells me what the theatre crew are looking for at this stage is children who have a natural gift to perform.

“We’re looking for candidates who are comfortable looking in a professional environment because children are an integral part of the show, filling in on the stage with their singing and dance routines.”

A certain amount of stamina is also necessary. The Pippins rehearse for about three weeks, two hours a day after school in two groups of four — the blue and red group — and go on to perform the same parts on alternate nights. The two understudies for the show are known as Swings.

The commitment from the children is enormous. Aside from the rehearsals, they will each take part in 45 performances over the festive period.

Dropping in on day five of rehearsals, I see the young team being coached through a song and dance ‘paint the house’ routine by choreographer Tim Claydon.

Tim, who is also a performing aerialist, was last seen hanging from the rafters and looks like he could paint a house all day. I am then shown to the Ronnie Barker Dressing Room to meet some of the young stars (the comedian who lived locally left a legacy in his will for the theatre and hence the star dressing room was named in his honour).

Freddie, aged 11, is a seasoned performer. This is his third panto and he loves being back walking the boards. He made his acting debut aged three at the school play and when he grows up (although he seems remarkably grown-up already) he wants to be a movie or TV star.

“The panto is a lot of fun and you get a lot of experience, and last year someone even asked me for my autograph,” he says. He even has a plan if he forgets his lines. “I’ll just hum,” he says.

Philip, aged ten, agrees about the fun bit and adds that you get to make new friends.

Philip says it’s good to have a proper script, perform to the public (instead of just family) and is hopeful that the experience will assist him in his long-term ambition to be a chat show host like Jonathan Ross.

Rebecca and Sophie (aged 12 and 13 respectively) are, unlike the boys, new to the panto experience and a touch more shy.

Rebecca was inspired by the Sweeney Todd summer project The Theatre ran and Sophie heard what fun it was from a fellow classmate. Both are looking forward to their roles as rats and ‘gentleladies’, getting into their custom-made costumes and performing on the stage in front of their families.

All say they will be very sad to perform on the last night but are looking forward to the huge show party afterwards!

All agree that the ultimate perk is that you get to miss a bit of school, but it’s impressive that it’s left to Stephen to tell me they also get £2 a night for their labours.

• Dick Whittington and his Cat opened on Tuesday and runs to Saturday, January 9. For more information see chippingnortontheatre.com.